Hanging free weight device

ABSTRACT

A device designed to hang free weight dumbbells from the end of an elongated cylindrical lifting bar. The device is comprised of a cylindrical hollow head which is capable of sliding and hanging on to a barbell, while the openly hollow C-shaped support inferior to the neck of the device is free to safely support a free weight dumbbell during resistance training.

FIELD

This application mainly relates to fitness equipment which in a uniquefashion slides on to and hangs from an elongated cylindrical liftingbar, such as an Olympic barbell, while having the capacity to safelysecure free weight dumbbells for use as additional weight.

BACKGROUND

The dumbbell is one of many common forms of free weights that areuniquely distinguishable by their short cylindrical shaft which bearsequivalent weight on each end in either a round or hexagonal shape.Despite going by different forms and aliases throughout history, manyindividuals across the world today utilize dumbbells for a multitude ofreasons, many of which are rooted in their: functionality within thethree planes of motion, portability, and efficiency in being able towork different muscles from various angles, making it a convenient andeffective piece of equipment for all weight lifters alike. There arerecords of previous devices that highlight their specific use case inutilizing the dumbbell, or alternative free weights, in conjunction withbarbells.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,366,200 filed by Matysek (1921) depicts a barbell thatis modified to allow a unique type of dumbbell modified with an openingthat is affixed centrally within the short cylindrical shaft of thedumbbell that has the same size opening as the barbell shaft ends. Thedumbbells would then slide on to each end of the barbell and bepositioned between two holes (with two additional holes arranged to theopposite side of the barbell) that would allow two nuts and bolts to beplaced in the holes on each end, therefore relegating the dumbbells toremain in that area of the bar and not detach from the barbell on eitherside. Despite being an open alternative to utilizing the dumbbells inthis way, some of the noticeable drawbacks of this device is that forthis to work the dumbbells' cylindrical shafts must be large enough toallow a barbell to slide through, and the barbells must increase inproportion to the weight it will support. As the bar increases indimension to compensate for the increase in weight, seriousconsiderations for weight lifters must also be made as this may bedifficult to hold or even be used to actively perform multiple reps;with a less than optimal grip around the barbell, this would effectivelyendanger the individual.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,243 filed by Allen (1994) describes there being anextended bracket attached to a barbell which would support a lengthenedU-shaped slot attaching to the bracket to support the dumbbells by itsshort cylindrical shaft to be used as weights. In addition to thisembodiment, there is an alternate version which connects a collar to theu-shaped slot facing perpendicular to the bar with an additional lockingcollar to secure it in place. A few noticeable drawbacks with thisdevice is the requirement of large brackets in order to be functional aswell as how restricted it is to the end of the barbell.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,814 filed by Xu (2009) describes a coil shapeddevice with two singular branches that each extend below the bar, bendsupward into an arch, and extends outward to form into a hook. Thefollowing variations of the device adds additional hooks beneath theinitial hooks in an attempt to add additional space for more dumbbells.The main device and variants however are not practical in usage becausean additional collar could contribute to problems such as uneven weightdistribution and spatial disproportion.

Advantages

In contrast to the mentioned devices above, here are the advantages youwill find in my device that a select few of the above mentioned deviceslack upon further analysis:

1) It does not require any additional parts (i.e. brackets, nuts, bolts,screws, etc.) to function, as it is one whole member.

2) The device can utilize the entire Olympic barbell arm with or withoutweights, and not just the ends of the barbell or a specific range ofspace on the arm.

3) Spatial consideration of the dumbbell in relation to the weightplates is taken into account and corrected so that if or when a collaris added you can be assured the weight plate will not slide due to anattached free weight creating unsafe space between the weight plate andthe collar of the device, which ultimately creates unbalanced weightdistribution.

4) It is made of an inexpensive and durable plastic or metal.

5) The free weight dumbbell for instance can be applied or removedsafely without having to remove any parts as the inner portion of theopenly hollow C-shaped support is preferably coated with a rubbermaterial for additional surface grip on the shaft of the dumbbell whichwould allow for a seamless attachment and release of the free weightfrom the device.

6) The device is cost-effective to produce.

7) This device is compact, durable, minimalistic, convenient, practical,and safe-to-use.

8) It serves users in allowing them to utilize their dumbbells asadditional weight instead of purchasing weight plates, which can be moreexpensive to own than free weights like dumbbells.

The illustrations of the device are rough expressions of the preferredform factor and should not be interpreted as restrictive in scope. As anadditional disclaimer, despite the mentioned specifics regardingpreferred materials—this may be subject to change. However, its functionstill remains to be ideal for its application.

SUMMARY

This hanging free weight device would solve the above issues and be usedto safely support attached free weight dumbbells to an elongatedcylindrical lifting barbell without compromising in functionality andefficiency.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a shows a front perspective view of the device.

FIG. 1 b shows a back side perspective view of the device.

FIG. 1 c shows a right side perspective view of the device.

FIG. 1 d shows a side perspective view of the device.

FIG. 1 e shows a side perspective view of the device.

FIG. if shows a side perspective view of the device.

FIG. 1 g shows a bottom perspective view of the device.

FIG. 1 h shows a top perspective view of the device.

FIG. 2 a shows the device, secured by an additional collar, attached toan Olympic barbell which is securing a dumbbell.

FIG. 2 b shows a side perspective view of the device attached to anOlympic barbell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 a-1 h shows various perspective views of the device 3.1 depictsthe hollow cylindrical head of the device which will slide on to theOlympic barbell 4, which can be used with an additional locking collar 5if needed. Protruding beneath the head is the neck of the device 9 whichserves to fortify the upper and lower portions jointly. Connectedbeneath the neck is an open, hollow, C-shaped support 2 which is made tofit the shaft of the dumbbell 7.

In FIGS. 2 a and 2 b , we see the device 3 not only secures a freeweight dumbbell 7 in place but also the weight plates 6. The flushsurface beneath the device 8 can also serve to rest the device on flatsurfaces in a vertical position when unused.

Operation—FIGS. 1 and 2

The device 3 is designed to attach free weight dumbbells 7 to acylindrical elongated lifting bar such as an Olympic barbell 4. Thecylindrical head 1 is made to fit the barbell to allow it to slide on oroff of the apparatus effortlessly. A weight collar could then be used tosecure the device 3 on the bar, or used without one. The openly hollowC-shaped support 2 is made to fit the surface area of the dumbbellshaft, so when the weight is inserted, it will support the weight duringlifts. After completion of the exercise, the hanging free weight devicecould then be effortlessly removed and placed on any flat surfaces whennot in use.

1. A portable hanging device that requires no additional parts tofunction which comprises a hollow cylindrical head that slides on andoff of a barbell wherein at least a substantial portion of the outersurface is a brief, protruded, neck that is subtly beveled (as shown inFIG. 1 e ).
 2. (canceled)
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein theneck is affixed superiorly to an openly hollow C-shaped support andinferiorly to the hollow cylindrical head (as shown in FIG. 1 e ).
 4. Adevice wherein the openly hollow C-shaped support (as seen from theright side perspective in FIG. 1 c ) would allow a free weight dumbbellto be supported along its cylindrical shaft laying perpendicular fromthe superiorly positioned hollow cylindrical head for resistancetraining (as shown in FIG. 2 b ).
 5. (canceled)
 6. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the inferior portion of the openly hollow C-shapedsupport has a flat surface so that the device can rest upright whenunused (as shown in FIG. 1 g ).